County fair pulls for families

Tuesday

Sep 24, 2013 at 2:23 PM

By Nancy HastingsThe return of the Hillsdale County Fair this week reminds us how the community comes together with families working to carry on traditions.Everyone becomes involved in the learning and the fun through 4-H, open class entries and more. And, many of these traditions keep going with whole families pulling together.Going with the clever theme of “Pulling Together for Fun and Education,” the fair board has given schools, clubs and churches much to think about when decorating their booths. Growing up with the fair is, after all, a family tradition for many, making it the “greatest fair on earth.”From young to old, everyone gets involved. It’s possible to have four- or five-generation families who still take an active part in the fair in some way.Celebrating more than 100 years, 4-H may be one of the best organizations for young people today; its original goals were driven by a need to improve farming and food preservation in the late 1800s.Today, the group is still dedicated to keeping the virtues of the 4-H pledge alive. Members vow to keep their heads to clearer thinking, their hearts to greater loyalty, hands to larger service and health to better living.Membership in 4-H allows young persons to develop the skills and confidence that will guide them through life and help mold them into active members of the community. Youngsters can map out their life’s journey with help from 4-H and in many cases, their parents and grandparents were involved in some way or another.Kids work with adult volunteers on various projects that involve cooking, computers, raising animals, growing plants, fixing and building various items, taking photographs, caring for the environment and much more.One family I talked to recently grew up in 4-H and with parents who took the lead in 4-H activities. Now, they help their father manage the 4-H kitchen to help insure the week runs smoothly. A daughter comes from Iowa and takes a week’s vacation to help volunteer. Her brothers are there to run errands and help out as well. That’s family dedication.At the poultry show Saturday, a longtime 4-H member said she would miss entering her chickens in the fair since it would likely be her last year. Standing next to her was her father, who said the work involved is great, but like many parents, he’s enjoyed the involvement in making sure everything needed was available for the projects his children were involved in over the years.As a youngster, I enjoyed cooking and sewing in 4-H and those skills have stayed with me as a mother and homemaker. After completing these projects, I and others in my club developed a sense of pride and accomplishment in a job well done. These skills can then be passed down through the generations.The fair also gives opportunity for those who aren’t in 4-H, but have a desire to get involved with cake decorating, cooking, sewing and all kinds of craft exhibits. I have a friend whose whole family likes to enter a variety of projects in the open class section and they have been doing so for several years.Even if entering exhibits isn’t your thing, there’s usually other ways to get involved in the fair like through entertainment at Woman’ Congress programs or in the talent show. Talent show organizer Vicky Hayes said whole families get involved in talent acts and sometimes even complete against one another.While reporting on the show this year, I was coaxed on stage while The Marcella Singers had some fun as judges deliberated. All I can say is going to the Hillsdale County Fair is like being with family and pulling together for another year is always a pleasure.